Lincoln’s Legacy: Historic Americana from the Life of Abraham Lincoln

1 p.; 7 7/8 x 5 in (203 x 127 mm); silked; creasing from old folds.

In full: "Dear Jesse K. Several persons here keep teasing ^me about you and the Bank commissioner’s not enforcing the banking laws– In my stupidity, I do not believe I quite understand what the ground of complaint is; but it appears to me to be this; that the stocks which the banks have on deposit have depreciated; that in such case, it is your duty to make the banks deposit additional stocks, or, in default, wind them up; and that you do not perform this duty– Now how is this? Write me plainly enough to make me understand; and write soon too, for I am annoyed about it a good deal. Your friend as ever, A. Lincoln."

At the beginning of the Panic of 1857, Lincoln sternly appeals to his friend, the Illinois state auditor, Jesse K. Dubois (1811-76), requesting information concerning the depreciated value of certain stocks, and Dubois's responsibility to them. Lincoln reminds Dubois of his duty to deposit additional stocks, "or, in default, wind them up", and writes that "several persons here keep teasing me about you and the bank commissioners not enforcing the banking laws...In my stupidity, I do not believe I quite understand what the ground of complaint is..."

Dubois was a close political ally of Lincoln's and had earlier served with the future president in the Illinois legislature. In May 1856, the Illinois Anti-Nebraska Convention nominated Dubois for state auditor of Illinois. In November 1856, he won election to that office as a Republican. When Dubois moved to Springfield to assume his duties as state auditor, he and his family were neighbors of the Lincoln family. Dubois won reelection in 1860 and 1862, and served as auditor until 1865. Basler 2, pp. 414.

Provenance:

Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California

Exhibition:

The Last Best Hope of Earth: Abraham Lincoln and the Promise of America, at the Huntington Library, October 1993-August 1994